The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Training Arc 3

After the grueling training session, Lucian led Aeliana to a quiet corner of the manor’s infirmary. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of herbs and ointments. He gently helped her onto a cushioned chair, his touch surprisingly delicate for someone who had been so ruthless during their sparring.

“You did well,” he said, reaching for a jar of ointment on the nearby counter. “But I pushed you too hard. For that, I apologize.”

Aeliana winced as he dabbed the ointment onto the wound on her shoulder. The coolness of it stung at first but quickly turned soothing. She studied his face as he worked, noticing the subtle furrow of his brows and the way his jaw tightened. It was clear he felt guilty, though he wasn’t the type to express it openly.

“It’s fine,” she said softly, her voice breaking the silence. “I need to be ready, no matter the cost. You were right to train me this way.”

Lucian glanced at her, his crimson eyes meeting hers. “Still, I should have been more careful.” He rolled up his sleeves, exposing the pale, scarred skin of his forearms as he secured the jar’s lid. “You’re not a soldier, Aeliana. You’re my fiancée. There’s a difference.”

As he turned to put the ointment away, Aeliana suddenly caught sight of a dark mark on his shoulder. Her breath hitched, and her gaze lingered on it—a jagged, rune-like pattern that pulsed faintly, as if alive. The sight sent a wave of curiosity and unease through her.

“Lucian…” she began hesitantly, her voice soft but firm. “What’s that on your shoulder?”

Lucian froze, his hand resting on the counter. He didn’t immediately turn around, his posture stiffening as if her words had struck a nerve. Slowly, he faced her, his expression guarded.

“It’s nothing,” he said, his tone dismissive.

Aeliana’s eyes narrowed. “Nothing? That doesn’t look like ‘nothing.’ It’s glowing, Lucian. Marks don’t just glow.”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s called an imprint mark,” he admitted reluctantly. “A symbol of a bond forged long ago. It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Aeliana pressed, sitting up straighter despite the dull ache in her shoulder. Her curiosity burned brighter now, fueled by the tension in his voice. “What kind of bond?”

Lucian hesitated, his gaze flickering away from hers. “It’s a pact,” he finally said. “An ancient agreement between me and someone from the Werewolf Clan. It was made long before I met you, Aeliana. It was a hig-stake political maneuver to ensure peace between our lands.”

Aeliana’s chest tightened. “You mean… you’re bonded to someone else?”

“It’s not what you think,” he said quickly, stepping closer. “The bond was never consummated. It’s a ceremonial mark, nothing more. But it does complicate things, especially now that we’re engaged.”

She studied his face, searching for any hint of deceit. Despite her initial shock, there was an honesty in his eyes that reassured her. Still, the implications of his words weighed heavily on her.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Lucian knelt beside her, his hand brushing against hers. “Because it doesn’t matter,” he said earnestly. “You’re the one I’ve chosen, Aeliana. Not her. Not anyone else. This mark is a relic of the past, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure it doesn’t interfere with our future.”

Aeliana’s heart softened at his words, but the unease lingered. “Who is she? The one you’re bonded to?”

Lucian’s jaw clenched, his expression darkening. “Ulric’s niece,” he admitted. “Sylvara, the Luna of the Werewolf Clan.”

“She’ll challenge this,” Aeliana said quietly, more to herself than to him.

“She might,” Lucian admitted. “But I won’t let her—or anyone else—come between us.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of the revelation hung heavy in the air, but Aeliana knew there was no turning back. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

“Promise me something,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

“Anything,” Lucian said without hesitation.

“Promise me you’ll always be honest with me, no matter how complicated things get.”

Lucian took her hand in his, his grip firm and reassuring. “I promise,” he said, his voice low but resolute. “No more secrets.”

Aeliana nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the lingering uncertainty. “Good. Because if there’s one thing I can’t handle, it’s being left in the dark.”

Lucian chuckled softly, his gaze softening. “You’re far too bright ever to be left in the dark, Princess.”

Lucian hesitated, his crimson eyes flickering with an emotion Aeliana couldn’t quite place. Pain? Shame? His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he might deflect her question entirely. But then he exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging as if he were carrying the weight of a thousand burdens.

“It’s…” He began, his voice barely above a whisper. His gaze drifted to the faintly glowing mark on his shoulder, as though he were seeing it for the first time himself. “It’s an imprint mark. A magical binding forged long ago. And no, it’s not just a relic—it’s more than that.”

Aeliana’s brow furrowed, her curiosity now mingled with a growing sense of dread. “Since when have you had this?” she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Lucian glanced at her, his expression conflicted. “Since I was a child,” he admitted reluctantly. “The mark appeared shortly after my father agreed with the Werewolf Clan. It was meant to secure an alliance, to strengthen our ties during a time of unrest.” His lips pressed into a thin line. “But it wasn’t my choice, Aeliana. I didn’t ask for this.”

She swallowed hard, the pieces of the puzzle slowly clicking into place. “So… this Sylvara,” she ventured carefully, “she’s the one you’re bonded to?”

Lucian nodded stiffly, his gaze falling to the floor. “Yes. She carries the counterpart to this mark. It was meant to ensure loyalty between our clans. A blood bond, created through magic. At the time, it seemed like a necessary measure—a way to prevent war. But I never thought…” He trailed off, his voice thick with emotion.

Aeliana’s chest tightened as she watched him. The usually composed and confident Lucian seemed almost vulnerable now, his mask of indifference slipping away. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. “You never thought it would come back to haunt you,” she finished for him.

He nodded slowly, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of guilt and frustration. “Exactly. And now, Sylvara’s using it as leverage. She’s claiming that our bond makes her my rightful partner—that our union is fated. But I refuse to let her dictate my life.”

Aeliana’s gaze flickered to the mark on his shoulder, its faint glow seeming almost sinister now. “Does it hurt?” she asked quietly.

Lucian gave a small, bitter laugh. “Not physically,” he said. “But it’s a constant reminder of the chains I’ve been trying to break free from. Of the expectations others have placed on me. And now, it’s a threat—to us.”

Aeliana’s hand tightened on his arm, her resolve hardening. “We’ll figure this out,” she said firmly. “I don’t care what magic binds you to her—I won’t let her take you away from me.”

Lucian’s gaze softened, and for a moment, the weight of his burdens seemed to lift. “You’re stronger than you know, Aeliana,” he said, his voice tinged with admiration. “But this won’t be easy. Sylvara is cunning, and she won’t give up without a fight.

Lucian shifted uncomfortably, his hesitation thickening the air between them. He seemed to struggle with the words, his usual composed demeanor faltering. Aeliana waited patiently, though her heart pounded in her chest. Whatever he was about to reveal, she knew it would weigh heavily on them both.

Finally, he exhaled, running a hand through his midnight-black hair. “There’s something else,” he began, his voice low, as if admitting it aloud would somehow make it worse. “Sylvara and I… we were betrothed before we could even walk.”

Aeliana blinked, the words sinking in like stones dropping into a still pond. “Betrothed?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the floor. “It was part of the alliance agreement between our families. The Werewolf Clan was a powerful ally, and my father believed that binding our two bloodlines together would ensure peace. It wasn’t uncommon in my world to arrange such unions, even from infancy.”

Aeliana’s mind raced. The weight of his confession was almost suffocating. “So, you were promised to her… from the very beginning?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes,” Lucian admitted, his jaw tightening. “But it was never a choice. It was a political strategy, nothing more. By the time I was old enough to understand what it meant, I had already grown to resent it. I’ve spent my entire life trying to free myself from that expectation.”

Aeliana took a step back, her arms wrapping around herself as she tried to process the revelation. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked, her tone a mixture of hurt and confusion.

…

Lucian looked up at her then, his crimson eyes filled with regret. “Because I didn’t want it to come between us,” he said. “You’re the one I chose, Aeliana. Not Sylvara, not anyone else. I didn’t think it mattered anymore. But now, with her resurfacing and using our bond as leverage, I realize I should’ve been honest from the start.”

Aeliana turned away, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. She felt betrayed, not by his actions, but by the years of silence that had kept this part of his life hidden. At the same time, she could see the pain in his eyes, the weight of a decision he had no control over.

“And Sylvara,” she said after a moment, her voice steadier now. “Does she still… expect this arrangement to happen?”

Lucian’s expression darkened. “She does,” he said. “She believes our bond is sacred, that it’s our destiny to be together. But I’ve made it clear to her that my heart belongs to someone else.”

Aeliana turned back to him, her gaze searching his face. “And if she doesn’t accept that?” she asked. “If she keeps pushing, keeps trying to claim you?”

Lucian stepped closer, his presence overwhelming in its intensity. “Then she’ll learn that I’m not a man who bends to fate,” he said firmly. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect what we have, Aeliana. Even if it means facing her head-on.”

His words, filled with conviction, brought a sense of solace to her turbulent heart. She nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “I believe you,” she said softly. “But this won’t be easy, Lucian. Sylvara won’t give up without a fight.”

“I know,” he said, reaching out to take her hand. “That’s why I need you by my side. Together, we can face whatever comes our way.”

She looked down at their joined hands, his touch grounding her in the storm of uncertainty. “No more secrets,” she said, meeting his gaze.

He nodded solemnly. “No more secrets,” he promised.

Aeliana held onto that promise, knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges. But for the first time since Sylvara’s name had entered their lives, she felt a flicker of hope. They would face this together—whatever it took.